Lionel Bart's Oliver!

LIONEL BART’S

OLIVER! BOOK, MUSIC AND LYRICS BY LIONEL BART

Lionel Bart’s

Oliver!

Book, Music and Lyrics By Lionel Bart

July 13 - 29

Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 3pm

4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village, OH www.MetroParks.cc

Coming Soon!

LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS’ FRENCH CREEK THEATRE PRESENTS:

ROMEO & JULIET

BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

DIRECTED BY BRIAN MCNALLY

AUGUST 17 - 19

FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY AT 7:00 PM FREE SHOW! | (440) 949-5200 OR WWW.METROPARKS.CC

French Creek

Theatre

French Creek Nature and Arts Center

Cultural Arts Manager / Site Manager....................................Rick Fortney Senior Naturalist................................................................................. Aimee Potonic Naturalist II.............................................................................................Rachel Mazzola Cultural Arts Programmer..............................................................Brian McNally Front Desk Staff.............Camille Olsen, Chris Bizub, Robert Scott Taylor FCNAC Building and Grounds Crew............................................Tim Barrett,

Thomas Bourque, David Davis

Lorain County Metro Parks

Director.....................................................................................................................James Ziemnik Assistant Director..........................................................................................Jennifer Bracken Operations Supervisor............................................................................................Paul Hruby Chief Naturalist...............................................................................................Grant Thompson Public Information Officer...........................................................................Vanessa Klesta Web Developer and Graphic Artist.....................................................Nicholas Baker

Lorain County Metro Parks Board of Park Commissioners

Chairman ................................................................................................... Ms. Cookie McLoda Board Member..............................................................................................Mr. Joseph Hribar Board Member.............................................................................................Mr. Kenneth Lieux

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French Creek

Theatre

2017-2018 season E w i n g T h e at r e

E w i n g T h e at r e

Bonnie & Clyde

Annie

The Great Depression. As the country’s corporations, banks and institutions crumble, suffering Americans crave a reckoning. Two upstart criminals emerge from the dust of poverty to become folk heroes for their brazen, lawless and deadly deeds.

Billionaire Oliver Warbucks is a man who thinks he has everything. Elevenyear-old Annie is an orphan with nothing. When the unlikely pair meet, together they find the thing that was missing in each other.

Oct 13 - 29, 2017

Book by Ivan Menchell Lyrics by Don Black | Music by Frank Wildhorn

P i j o r T h e at r e

Dec 1 - 17, 2017

Book by Thomas Meehan Music by Charles Strouse | Lyrics by Martin Charnin Based on Little Orphan Annie by permission of The Media Tribune Services, Inc.

E w i n g T h e at r e

I’m Not Rappaport

Children of Eden

From a bench in Central Park, Nat & Midge, two feisty octogenarians, refuse to disappear into the diminishing twilight of their lives.

While Nat’s daughter imperils his independence with the threat of nursing homes, Midge fights the yuppie forces trying to push him out of his job. Using the wiles and wisdom that only come with age, they make their final stand in this sidesplitting and thoughtful Tony-award winner.

In the beginning, Adam and Eve live in a state of perfection with their Father.

But when they eat from the Tree of Knowledge, their disobedience sets off a powerful chain of events spanning generations, and leaves the far reaches of their bloodline searching for the way back to Eden.

Feb 2 - 18, 2018

By Herb Gardner

Mar 9 - 25, 2018

Book by John Caird Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Based on a concept by Charles Lisanby Orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin and Martin Erskine

P i j o r T h e at r e

E w i n g T h e at r e

The Elephant Man

Oliver!

In 1886, a horrifically deformed sideshow attraction named John Merrick is taken in by a young English surgeon named Frederick Treves.

As Treves endeavors to civilize him by introducing him to London’s elite, Merrick dreams of being like other men. But when manners and propriety leave Merrick dissatisfied, Treves begins to question his own altruistic pursuits.

Sold from the only life he’s ever known in a toilsome workhouse to be an apprentice coffin-follower for a jocund undertaker, the orphaned and hapless Oliver escapes to find someplace he truly belongs. Taken in by a band of young pickpockets, Oliver thinks he’s finally found a family until a robbery gone sour incurs the wrath of their menacing leader.

May 4 - 20, 2018

July 13 - 29, 2018

Book, Music and Lyrics by Lionel Bart

By Bernard Pomerance

L a k e v i e w Pa r k , Lo r a i n

Romeo & Juliet

Aug 17 - 19 (Shows at 7pm) One of the greatest tragedies of all time, Shakespeare’s tale of passion and calamity is performed outdoors as Lorain County Metro Parks is transformed into “fair Verona, where we lay our scene…”

By William Shakespeare

Shakespeare in the Park!

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Visit Us! 38790 Chester Road Avon Ohio 44011 440.934.WINE (9463) www.thewoodnwine.com

Proud supporter of French Creek Theatre!

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French Creek

Theatre

Lionel Bart’s

Oliver!

Book, Music & Lyrics by Lionel Bart Directors // Maryann Nagel & Greg Violand Musical Director // Lisa Van Scyoc Choreographer // Lucy Greaney Technical Director // Derek Green Scenic Designer // Douglas Puskas Costume Designer // Mary Papa Lighting Designer // Rob Peck Sound Designer // Stan Kozak Stage Manager // Lauren Van Niel Assistant Stage Manager/Child Wrangler // Abigail Garrison Sound Board Operator // Sarah Rounds Spotlight Operator // Sarah Van Niel Spotlight Operator // Andrea Belser Stage Combat // Jeffrey Braun Artistic Director // Rick Fortney Program Director // Brian McNally

Oliver!

Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

–– PLEASE NOTE ––

The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited

Welcome to French Creek Theatre Welcome to the French Creek Theatre!

French Creek Theatre is excited in bringing the award-winning musical adaptation of the classic Dickens’ novel, Oliver!, to our stage. I first experienced this musical when I was a child growing up at Huntington Playhouse. I loved the songs and its message back then through the eye of a child, I appreciate it even more as an adult, knowing the need … knowing our responsibility, and our opportunity, in serving.

I would like to thank our staff, crew, production team, musicians and cast who have shared their time and talent in bringing Oliver! to the Rick Fortney French Creek stage. A special thank you to our Cultural Arts Manager, co-directors, husband and wife team, Maryann Lorain County Metro Parks Nagel and Greg Violand. Maryann and Greg are no stranger to the TrueNorth and French Creek stage having directed for us numerous times, however, this is the first time they have shared in the responsibility!

As we experience life on the streets of Victorian England, may we not forget the truth that lies before us right here in northeast Ohio. There are many organizations whose focus is to enable young people in reaching their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. We ask that you reach out to one of these organizations and get involved as together we can help the Olivers of today find the love, safety and encouragement each deserves.

• The Boys & Girls Clubs of Lorain County is a nonprofit organization providing safe, fun places for the kids who need us most. The Boys & Girls Clubs are open at the times when kids are most vulnerable to getting into trouble — after school, on Saturdays and during the summer. The Boys & Girls Clubs champion academic success and healthy lifestyles well as character and citizenship. In addition, offering special initiatives, including a farm program and a workforce development program. http://www.loraincountybgc.com/ • Ohio Guidestone’s mission is to provide pathways for growth, achievement, and lifelong success. A legacy of caring … a future of hope. Ohio Guidestone began in 1864. Then supporting orphans of the civil war. This began a legacy of bettering lives … today serving thousands of families and children. https://ohioguidestone.org/

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• El Centro … Spanish Bilingual Supportive Services, Youth Leadership …

Helping Families, Improving Lives through Knowledge and Understanding!

This program, offered to Lorain youth ages 12-18, focuses on identifying and enhancing leadership traits and skills, and assists youth in developing the supportive skills necessary to becoming an active community leader, such as academics, job skills, and character development. The program helps youth develop a sense of ownership in their community and empowers them to become active, responsible citizens. http://www.lorainelcentro.com/ • Lorain County Urban League … Get Empowered, Get Connected.

The Lorain County Urban League is the community resource for African Americans and all disadvantaged persons in our community to get empowered and connected to opportunities.

Serving and empowering Lorain County since 1978 in the areas of housing, health, education, employment, and justice with a 2020 Vision to focus on educating and developing youth, economically empowering families, and engaging communities. https://www.lcul.org/ • Catholic Charities - As one of the largest comprehensive health and human services organizations in the region, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland carries out Christ’s healing mission here in Northeast Ohio. Catholic Charities delivers more than 150 services at 60 locations to over 400,000 individuals each year – providing help and creating hope for people of every race and religion throughout the eight counties in the Diocese of Cleveland (Ashland, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Summit and Wayne).

Family and Community Services: Whether the need is a loving home for foster care or help with substance abuse, Catholic Charities provides an integrated system of services to children and families, including early learning centers and Head Start programs with Early Childhood Educated Staff, parenting classes, job placement training and mental health counseling. http://ccdocle.org/ Thank you for visiting French Creek Theatre. ‘Consider yourself at home’ not just today, but each and every day, as we are open seven days a week, here to serve you educationally through programs in both nature and the arts.

Thank you for supporting the arts throughout northeast Ohio.

Rick Fortney Cultural Arts Manager

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Scene Breakdown Act I Scene One (Work house)

• Food, Glorious Food................Work house children, Mr. Bumble, and Widow Corney • Oliver!..............................................Work house children, Mr. Bumble, and Widow Corney

Scene TWO (Widow Corney’s Parlour)

• I Shall Scream!.......................................Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney • Boy For Sale...........................................................................................Mr. Bumble

Scene Three (Inside the Undertaker’s Parlour)

• That’s Your Funeral............................Mr. Sowberry, Mrs. Sowberry, and Mr. Bumble • Where is Love?..................................................................................................Oliver

Scene Four (Inside the Undertaker’s Parlour, next morning) Scene Five (Outskirts of London - a week later)

• Consider Yourself................Dodger, Oliver, and Gang of Thieves

Scene Six (Thieves’ Den)

• You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two........................................................Fagin and Gang of Thieves • It’s a Fine Life.......................................Nancy, Bet, and gang of thieves • I’d Do Anything.....................................Nancy, Bet, and Gang of Thieves • Be Back Soon.....................................................Fagin and Gang of Thieves

Scene Seven (The Street)

// End of Act I //

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Scene Breakdown Act II Scene One (The “Three Cripples” Tavern)

• Oom-Pah-Pah....................................................................Nancy and company • My Name.........................................................................................................Bill Sikes • As Long as He Needs Me..............................................................................Nancy

Scene TWO (Brownlow’s House and Street Outside) • • • •

Where is Love? (Reprise)...............................................................Mrs. Bedwin Who Will Buy (Part One)............................Oliver and Street Sellers Who Will Buy (Part Two)......................................................Street Sellers Who Will Buy (Part Three).......................Oliver and Street Sellers

Scene Three (Thieves’ Den)

• Reviewing the Situation..............................................................................Fagin

Scene Four (Widow Corney’s Parlour)

• Oliver! (Reprise)...................................Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney

Scene Five (Brownlow’s House - Outside)

• As long as he needs me (Reprise).........................................................Nancy

Scene Six (London Bridge at Night)

// End of Act II // // The End //

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Cast Xander Smits.....................................................................Oliver Twist Jeffrey E. Braun...............................................................................Fagin Finnian O’Hara..................................................The Artful Dodger Christopher Bizub................................................................Bill Sikes Colleen Calvey..............................................................................Nancy Jillian Reef......................................................................Bet/Old Sally Sean M. Cahill......................................................................Mr. Bumble Megan Campana..................................................The Widow Corny Rollin Devere.............................................................Mr. Brownlow John Bassett............................................................Mr. Sowerberry Jaqueline Scheufler.......Mrs. Sowerberry/Mrs. Bedwin Vanessa Richards...............................................................Charlotte Spencer Riley.............................................................Noah Claypool John Bassett.......................................................................Dr. Grimwig Hayden Atzberger....................................................Charley Bates

Child Ensemble Manny Crabtree....................................................................Ensemble Emma DiBattiste.....................................................................Ensemble Patrick DiBattiste................................................................Ensemble Jackson Kenny........................................................................Ensemble Willa Kenny..............................................................................Ensemble Sophia Massie...........................................................................Ensemble Emily Kay McNeeley..............................................................Ensemble Vanessa Richards.................................................................Ensemble Lindsay Smits...........................................................................Ensemble Patrick Smits............................................................................Ensemble Rebecca Striffler................................................................Ensemble

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Production Team Maryann Nagel................................................................Co-Director Greg Violand.....................................................................Co-Director Lisa Van Scyoc......................................................Musical Director Lucy Greaney............................................................Choreographer Derek Green......................................................Technical Director Douglas Puskas.....................................................Scenic Designer Mary Papa............................................................Costumer Designer Rob Peck...................................................................Lighting Designer Stan Kozak..................................................................Sound Designer Lauren Van Niel........................................................Stage Manager Abigail Garrison..........................Assistant Stage Manager/ Child Wrangler Sarah Van Niel................................................Spotlight Operator Andrea Belser................................................Spotlight Operator Sarah Rounds........................................Sound Board Operator Jeffrey E. Braun...........................................................Stage Combat Rick Fortney..........................................................Artistic Director

Orchestra Kate Robarge.................................................................................Cellist Drew Postel...................................................................................Bassist Krik Georgia.........................................................................Percussion Jessie Rowe..................................................................................Clarinet Dennis Terlaak...............................................................sub Clarinet Evan Kleve...........................................................................................Violin Maria Vinas...............................................................................sub Violin Ty Hansen......................................................................................Trumpet Marge MacNeal..............................................................French Horn

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A Note from the directors “ Acting is hard work!� That is what this cast has discovered during the rehearsal process for this show. If they didn’t know it before, they do now. We hope our audiences appreciate the effort this cast of charming children and committed adults have put into their performances. We hope also that you, our patrons, enjoy the spirit and joy that we have tried to bring to the stage this Summer of 2018. Special thanks to the parents and guardians of the young company members for their patience and dedication during this process. Please join us in sending this production of OLIVER! off to the stars.

Sincerely, Greg Violand & Maryann Nagel-Violand Co-Directors

Actor/Actress Bios

CAST H a y d e n At z b e r g e r (Charley Bates) is thrilled to be performing in his second show at French Creek Theatre!

Previously, he appeared as Young Ted/Young Clyde U/S in Bonnie & Clyde. Some of his other favorite performances include Minister/Egyptian Boy in Aida at Near West Theater, and various roles at the Beck Center for the Arts, including featured soloist in Schoolhouse Rock, and Ensemble in Big the Musical. He also appeared as Beast in Happily Forever After and Tweedledum in Alice in Wonderland.

When not onstage, he enjoys playing the clarinet in his school band and drawing.

John Bassett (Mr. Sowerberry/ Dr. Grimwig) is in his 6th show at French Creek.

Others include Jesus Christ Superstar, White Christmas and Bonnie & Clyde. He’s also performed in Mary Poppins with LCMT. He started with a number of shows at the Black River Playhouse in Elyria; and a

theater minor while at BGSU in the 60’s. Then some featured roles with the Blackhawk Players in Chicago in the 70’s; followed by the Bay Players in Duxbury, MA in the 80’s; and with the Footlight Club and T.A.O.S. in Boston in the 90’s. A total of 25 shows which covered the full spectrum of comedies, dramas and musicals.

Chris Bizub (Bill Sikes) is thrilled to return to the French Creek stage for the third time! You may remember Chris as the Stage Manager in Our Town last July. Chris has a Masters’ in Arts Administration from the University of Akron as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Baldwin Wallace College. He currently works here at French Creek as a Program Reservationist and at Playhouse Square as a Ticketing Concierge.

Some recent credits include The Crucible (Judge Danforth) and Richard III (Richard III) at Rubber City Theater. When he is not performing, Chris also directs. Chris hopes you enjoy the performance, and will come out and see him play Lane/ Merriman in The Importance of Being Earnest performing August 24-September 8 at Broadview Heights Spotlights Community Theater.

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Actor/Actress Bios Jeffrey Braun (Fagin) returns to the French Creek Theatre stage, seen previously as Pontius Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar.

This awa rd -w i n n i n g actor is returning also to the role of Fagin, played in 2011. Seen in theatres throughout NE. Ohio, Jeffrey is an actor/ director, makeup artist, stage combat coordinator, musician, writer and voice instructor. Found on staff as a theatre and voice instructor at Olmsted Performing Arts as well as North Pointe Ballet Company as drama coach and original script writer for several seasons.

Sean M. Cahill (Mr. Bumble) is excited to finally return to French Creek after portraying Diesel in West Side Story a few years ago. Other favorite roles include: Charlie Brown (You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown), Rev. Shaw Moore (Footloose), Lady Bracknell (Importance of Being Earnest), and Marcellus Washburn (Music Man).

During the year Sean can be seen onstage at Severance Hall behind the Cleveland Orchestra singing anything from Christmas

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Carols to 18th Century classics. Sean would like to thank Greg, Maryann, Lisa, and Lauren for allowing him to play this wonderfully fun part and for their direction. This one is for the colleagues and friends from JCU for all their support, thanks!

C o l l e e n Calvey (Nancy) is thrilled to be making her debut with the French Creek Theatre. She has previously been active in theatre in her native Michigan, and has performed in many choral, theatre, and opera works.

Previous favorite roles include: Eve (The Apple Tree); Emma Goldman/ Ensemble (Assassins); Buttercup (H.M.S. Pinafore); Mary Magdalene (Jesus Christ Superstar); Pilate (Jesus Christ Superstar); Simon Zealotes (Jesus Christ Superstar); Soprano Soloist (Sweeney Todd); and Woman No.1 (The World Goes Round). When not performing in a show, she can be found singing in the operating room at Firelands Hospital, where she works as a surgeon.

Megan Campana (The Widow Corney) is thrilled and honored to be a part of this incredibly talented cast. Megan is no stranger to French Creek Theatre and has most recently been seen in Children of

Actor/Actress Bios Eden (Storyteller); Annie (Bonnie Boylan); Bonnie & Clyde (Stella/ Ensemble); White Christmas (Mrs. Snoring Man/ Ensemble); Jekyll & Hyde (Lady Beaconsfield/ Barmaid/Ensemble); Godspell (Ensemble/solo: Bless the Lord).

Megan loves being backstage as much as she loves being on stage and has been actively involved with the Lorain Community Music Theatre as hair/makeup artist since 2008.

M a n n y C r a bt r e e (Ensemble) is 12-years-old and excited to be in Lionel Bart’s Oliver! This is his second show, his first being Clowns at his elementary school. He wants to thank his mom all of her support and love. He wants to wish the cast and crew a great run!

Rollin DeVere (Mr. Brownlow) is excited about making his debut with French Creek! His family was paramount in the beginnings of the Chagrin Valley Little Theater since its inception in 1935, to the building being constructed in 1950,

to today. He is currently active with CVLT’s own improv troupe, River Side Valley Players (RSVP), for which he is a founding member. Recent shows at CVLT have been Spamalot, The Addams Family; Spamalot at Weathervane Playhouse; Brigadoon at Aurora Community Theater; and playing percussion for In The Heights at Geauga Lyric Theater.

E m m a D i B a tt i st e (Ensemble) is 15-years-old and very excited to come back to French Creek after appearing in White Christmas.

She’s also performed in Aida, Rent and The Addams Family (MAD* Factory).

P a t r i c k D i B a tt i st e (Ensemble) is excited to do his first show with French Creek! He’s been working hard, and is excited for everyone to see the show and all the

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Actor/Actress Bios hard work everyone has put in!

Jackson Kenny (Ensemble) is very excited to be making his French Creek Theater debut in Lionel Bart’s Oliver! He was last seen in Annie at the Beck Center.

When he isn’t performing, Jackson enjoys riding his bike, playing video games, and reading. He thanks his parents for driving so far to rehearsal and the production team for such a great experience. Enjoy the show!

Willa Kenny (Ensemble) is excited to be performing on the French Creek stage for the first time! She was last seen in her school production of Madagascar Jr. as a Cheetah. When not performing, Willa plays CYO volleyball and basketball and enjoys swimming.

Thanks to her parents for support and for driving very far to rehearsal.

Sophia Massie (Ensemble) is eight-years-old, and is thrilled to be performing at French Creek Theatre.

This Classic Tale of instant love and mistaken identities, Twelfth Night, features cavorting & conniving, forged letters, unrequited love, disguises, twins, & happy endings for all but one!

Anne McEvoy's adaptation promises a contemporary, family friendly approach with a delightful storybook influence. Summer fun for one and all.

“If music be the food of love, play on...”

Visit our website for the touring schedule of free outdoor performances!

www.CleveShakes.org

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Actor/Actress Bios She is excited to work with this fantastic, talented cast and crew in one of her favorite musicals.

She began performing at age four, with her favorites being Daisy in Alice in Wonderland (Olmsted Performing Arts) and French Girl in Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker. Sophia studies vocal performance under the direction of Amy Hanratty. In her free time, she loves to read Harry Potter and is a proud Slytherin. Sophia would like to thank her Mom, Dad , and Jaden for their love and support. She sends her love to her Grandparents.

Emily Kay M c N e e l e y (Ensemble) is going to be a freshman at the University of Akron, majoring in Speech L a n g u a g e Pathology and minoring in Theatre. Though she has performed in several productions over the years and participated in acting competitions for which she earned some awards, this is her debut at French Creek Theatre.

She would like to thank her mom for driving her, feeding her, helping her with her lines, and listening to her babble, her dad for always supporting her while always being

realistic with expectations, her best friend Vanessa for encouraging her to join the cast, and the staff of the musical without which none of this would be possible.

Finn O’Hara (The Artful Dodger) is excited to be part of the cast of Lionel Bart’s Oliver for his first production at French Creek Theatre.

Finn is a sixth grade student at Hubbard Middle School where he proudly represents his school as the Junior Eagle mascot.

He began performing when he was four-years-old. Since then he has appeared in 16 musicals. Finn is best known for his role as Les in Newsies at Porthouse Theatre and for playing Pugsley Addams in The Addams Family at New Castle Playhouse.

Finn would like to thank his grandma who helped him find his love for the stage and his friend Isaac for being his acting mentor and role model.

Jillian Reef (Bet/Old Sally) is so excited to be in this wonderful, classic show.

She most recently played Gwendolyn in the play The Importance of Being Earnest at Western Reserve

Actor/Actress Bios Academy, but is thrilled to be able to sing and dance once again onstage.

Jill is so happy to be working with such a talented cast and crew. She is honored to have the chance to play two hilariously contrasting characters and can’t wait for the audience to see the show!

V a n e ss a R i c h a r d s (Ensemble) is a recent graduate of Ohio Virtual Academy.

This is her second show with French Creek, her first being

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Annie in December as a part of the ensemble. During her free time she enjoys reading, listening to music, and being around her friends and family. Vanessa would like to thank her family for all their support. She is extremely excited to be a part of the show with everyone and hopes you enjoy the show!!!

Spencer Riley (Noah Claypool) is excited to be a part of this classic musical for the second time - he previously played Mr. Sowerberry in Brookside High

Actor/Actress Bios School’s production in 2009. He last appeared on the French Creek stage in The Elephant Man. He has also acted with Mighty Goliath Productions, Lorain Community Music Theater, Lorain Palace Youth Theater, among others. Spencer is a 2014 graduate of Marietta College with a BFA in Theater. Thanks to his cast mates for making this a fun experience, and to Greg and Maryann for their love and support!

Enjoy the show!

Jacqueline Scheufler (Mrs. Sowerberry) is absolutely thrilled to be returning to the French Creek stage for the second summer in a row, and even more thrilled that it’s in one of her dream shows.

Some of Jacqueline’s favorite most recent theatre roles include: Frannie Pepper (Barefoot in the Park), Louella Soames (Our Town), and Cecily Pigeon (The Odd Couple). Jacqueline would like to thank her parents for always encouraging her to reach for her dreams and for supporting her when her footing gets a little unsteady. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a truly wonderful show!

Lindsey Smits (Ensemble) is 12-years-old.

She is excited to return to French Creek, after playing Alligator in Really Rosie in 2016.

Lindsey has participated in over seventeen t h e a t e r productions, most notably as Belinda Crachit in A Christmas Carol at Great Lakes Theater and the title role in Annie. Other favorite roles include Jane in Mary Poppins, JoJo in Seussical and Brigitta in The Sound of Music. Offstage, Lindsey studies ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary dance.

She also enjoys sewing, piano, and vocal performance. Lindsey wishes to thank her grandparents for their love and Voice Variations Talent Management for training assistance.

Patrick Smits (Ensemble) is n i n e -ye a r s - o l d and entering the third grade.

Patrick is honored to join his siblings, Xander and Lindsey, onstage, and to be making his French Creek Theatre debut!

Patrick was seen most recently as Camera Man/Frog in Honk, Jr and as Kyle in the Ashley Summers episode of the TV Series Documentary Disappeared.

Offstage, Patrick enjoys basketball, baseball, flag football, Boy Scouts, and WWE Wrestling.

Patrick

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Actor/Actress Bios wishes to thank his grandparents for their love and support and his big sister, Evelyn, for being a wonderful summer teacher!

school student at Avon Lake. In her freetime, Rebecca loves to write. She would like to thank her wonderful mother, father, and brother as well as her friends Ava and Anna for putting up with her throughout the show.

Xander Smits (Oliver) is tenyears-old.

He is thrilled to be making his French Creek Theatre debut!

For the past three years, Xander has acted in A Christmas Carol at Great Lakes Theater, initially as Delivery Boy then as Tiny Tim for the past two holiday seasons.

Other favorite roles include Winthrop in The Music Man and Johnny in Dear Edwina.

Offstage, Xander enjoys basketball, golf, piano, drums, and Boy Scouts.

Xander is represented by Voice Variations Talent Management. He wishes to thank his grandparents for their support and Weeblos, Troop 102 for their friendship!

Maryann Nagel (Co-Director) is a full time, professional SAGA/AFTRA, AEA actor working locally and across the country in film, TV, radio and theatre. She recently shot the feature films The Beach House, Annaliese!

Annaliese! She also appears on Netflix in My Friend Dahmer, My Blind Brother, The Yank, Into The Storm, Take Shelter, Clowntown, Old Fashioned, Umbrella Man, and Batman vs. Superman-Dawn of Justice. She teaches at Playhouse Square, Cleveland Play House as well as directs for Disney Musicals in Schools program, coaches acting, and narrates concerts for the Cleveland Orchestra.

R e b e cc a Striffler (Ensemble) is thrilled to be appearing in her second show at French Creek Theatre, previously performing here last December in Annie (Duffy).

Rebecca is a middle

Greg Violand (Co-Director) previously directed Miracle On 34th St., The Secret Garden and The Odd Couple here at French Creek. He is a well-known professional actor in Northeast Ohio having performed for the last 30 years in numerous productions with the Cleveland Play House, Great Lakes Theatre, Cleveland Opera, Beck Center, DOBAMA, Ensemble Theatre, Cain Park, and Porthouse Theatre

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Production Team:

Actor/Actress Bios to name a few. He has two films premiering in 2018, The Assassin’s Code and The Toybox. He is a proud member of Actors Equity and SAGAFTRA, and received his MFA from Kent State University. He is also currently an Adjunct Professor of Acting and Theater at Lakeland CC. Douglas Puskas (Scenic Designer) French Creek Theater: Jekyll & Hyde, The Odd Couple, White Christmas (Scenic Designer). Beck Center for the Arts, Lakewood OH: The Little Mermaid (Scenic Designer), Billy Elliot, American Idiot (Co-Projection Design), Gypsy, Heathers (Assistant Director) Cleveland Public Theater, Cleveland OH: The Art of Longing, I Call

My Brothers, Lines in the Dust (Scenic Designer), Mr. Burns (Properties Designer). Virginia Musical Theater, Virginia Beach, The Public Theater in New York, NY: Shakespeare in the Park 2014 Season, Much Ado About Nothing, King Lear, The Winter’s Tale (Properties Department). Graduate of University of Cincinnati CollegeConservatory of Music www. douglaspuskas.com Lisa Van Scyoc (Muisc Director) is a graduate of The Cleveland Institute of Music with a Master of Music in Vocal Performance. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Bowling Green State University. Lisa currently is a

Actor/Actress Bios Student Teaching Supervisor on the Music Education faculty at Baldwin Wallace University. Prior to this year, she was an adjunct professor and Field Experience Coordinator at Oberlin Conservatory of Music for two years. Lisa also is Director of Canterra Musica, the highest level treble choir of Oberlin Choristers.

She recently retired from teaching music in the Lakewood City Schools and was the Director of Music at Christ United Methodist Church in Cleveland for 24 years.

Derek Green (Technical Director) is a freelance technical director, scenic and lighting designer, and has served as French Creek’s technical director for the past year. Design credits include The Elephant Man, Children of Eden, I’m Not Rappaport, Bonnie & Clyde, Willy Wonka, Our Town, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Other design credits include The Tempest, Richard II (Cleveland Shakespeare Festival); South Pacific, The Curious Savage, Joseph . . . Dreamcoat, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Here Come the Brides (NDCL). Derek currently works on the Education staff at Cleveland Play House.

Lucy Greaney (Co-Choreographer) is a 2018 graduate of Magnificat High School, and has been involved in musical theatre since her freshman year. She has been in numerous productions including Annie, Cinderella, Godspell,

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and Cats. Lucy began taking dance classes her junior year and immediately developed a love for the art of dance. This is her first time choreographing anything, and her first time being apart of the French Creek Theatre. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support as well as Maryann and the entire production team for giving her this opportunity. She plans to further her education next year at Miami University.

Stan Kozak (Sound Designer) Stan Kozak, currently in his twentyseventh season at Great Lakes Theater, has more than 50 design credits including Bat Boy: The Musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Comedy of Errors, Amadeus, You Can’t Take It With You, Private Lives, Into the Woods and the Tom Hanks’ benefit performances. His work in 1979 and 1981 with Geraldine Fitzgerald on Streetsongs at GLTF led to the original cast album. Mr. Kozak was the resident sound designer for four seasons at the Porthouse Theatre Company, including productions of Driving Miss Daisy, Niteclub Confidential and a Nightingale Sang.

His collaborations with Victoria Bussert at Baldwin-Wallace College include productions of Chess, Hair, Company, Cabaret, West Side Story, Tommy in Concert, Parade, the Ohio premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Passion, and one of the first nonprofessional productions of Phantom of the Opera. For Cain Park,

Actor/Actress Bios his design credits include Secret Garden, Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, Bat Boy, Tick, tick…Boom, Nine, The Wiz, Harold and Maude and Pippin.

Mr. Kozak has also designed sound for Wit and Last Five Years for the Dobama Theater, Iolanthe and Sweeney Todd for the Cleveland Opera, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and Forbidden Broadway SVU for the Hanna Theatre and A Shayna Maidel, Brooklyn Boy and Pangs of the Messiah for the JCC. He has served as sound designer for the All-City Musical for the Cleveland school system for eight seasons.

He also had the good fortune to have worked with Bebe Neuwirth in her concert performance for the Ideastream Gala in 2005. He was honored to be among the first group of LORT sound designers to achieve recognition in USA 829.

students at Magnificat teaching and sharing her joy of costume design and art. During Mary’s 20 plus years designing costumes her favorite shows include Alice in Wonderland, Children of Eden and Cats. Mary would like to thank her family, especially her husband, for all their support.

Mary Papa (Costume Designer) is thrilled to be costuming her first show at French Creek. Mary began costuming in 1994 with The Wizard of Oz, when her daughter decided to start acting. She never would have thought a BFA in Photography and Graphic Design would turn into a career in costuming. Mary has worked on costumes for The Beck Center, St. Edwards and Magnificat as well as many corporate events.

For the last 13 years she has worked at Magnificat designing costumes for the theater department and the dance team among other things.

Mary enjoys working with the

Abbie Garrison (Assistant Stage Manager / Child Wrangler) is a local stage manager who works mainly out of LCCC. She is extremely happy to be working with the company of Lionel Bart’s Oliver before moving to Texas for a nine-month technical theatre internship with The Stages Repertory Theatre. She wants to thank the children in the show for allowing her to be their Stage Mom.

Lauren Van Niel (Stage Manager) is a 2018 Magnificat High School graduate, and is going to The Ohio State University in the fall. She was extremely involved at MHS with some musicals including Cats, Annie, and The Pajama Game. This is her first production out of high school, and is very excited to further her interest in stage management.

She wants to thank Greg, Maryann, Derek, Douglas, Abbie and all the cast for everything they do!

Sarah Rounds (Sound Board Operator) is so excited to be back working on her fifth production here at French Creek! She is a recent graduate of Full

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Actor/Actress Bios Sail University in Orlando, Florida where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Recording Arts.

She is an Avon High School alumni where she was hugely involved in the drama club and was inducted into the Thespian Society. She enjoyed being on stage as much as working off stage in running crew and as head of the makeup/hair crew. In her free time, Sarah likes to sing, teach herself new instruments, hang out with friends and family, play with her dog, and work on her sound design skills.

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2018/2019 season opener!

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October 12-28, 2018

Fridays & saturdays at 7:30pm and sunday matinees at 3:00pm Book and lyriCs By howard ashman

musiC By alan menken | Based on the Film By roger Corman sCreenplay By Charles griFFith originally produCed By the wpa theatre (kyle reniCk, produCing direCtor) originally produCed at the orpheum theatre, new york City By the wpa theatre, david geFFen, Cameron maCkintosh and the shuBert organization

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